Although there are a number of possible factors that may lead to snoring, there are several main causes that are most commonly believed to be the root cause of this nighttime nuisance. One of the leading causes of snoring is obesity, which is also linked to other health problems. Therefore, many physicians recommend a well-balanced program featuring both diet and exercise to not only prevent snoring, but to improve their overall health. When it comes to sleeping positions, many people simply look for comfort. While this is a very important part of getting a quality night’s sleep, individuals who suffer from snoring often need to look for much more than just comfort. Sleeping on your side may be one way of curbing your snoring problem. When an individual sleeps on their back, the tissue in the back of the throat tends to relax and often restricts the airway. When this occurs, snoring may be a result. Therefore, side sleeping is a possible remedy. As the years go by and age seems to creep up on all of us, snoring is often not far behind. In fact, one of the leading factors that cause snoring is age. Some researchers believe that the skin in an individual’s throat begins to lose elasticity as it ages. When this happens, there is a better likelihood that the skin will relax during sleep and cause the airway to be restricted. One of the most serious causes of snoring is a disorder known as sleep apnea. If left untreated, this ailment may lead to more serious medical conditions, such as heart problems, a stroke or other illness. The signs of sleep apnea include excessive and loud snoring, pauses between breathes during sleep, awakening during the night with a feeling of choking or difficulty breathing, etc. An individual who suffers from sleep apnea may notice one or all of the aforementioned symptoms due to the fact that, with this illness, the airway becomes completely blocked and may actually cause the sufferer to stop breathing on one or more occasions throughout the night. The only way to properly diagnose sleep apnea is with the help of a physician and, quite often, a sleep study. Typically ordered by a physician, a sleep study is designed to diagnose the exact cause of snoring. During this test, the sufferer spends one night at a sleep center, where he/she is regularly monitored in order to detect any abnormal breathing or snoring patterns. The results are then given to a physician, who will make the final diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment. This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice relating to snoring. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, individuals must consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and recommended treatment.